Poor man's honey warmer

[Fuzzy]

For those of you who only have a few hives, you will usually not have all the fancy equipment to properly process honey. This year I found myself with 9 5 gallon buckets to filter and put into jars ( in December with room temps at 65f) .

So, I cleaned out the extractor, removed the motor and reel, and brought it into the back room. I mounted two 150 watt lights about 12 inches below the extractor bottom. I purchased 2 sheets of 3/4 foam insulation board and built a 3ft x 3ft box around the extractor, with a foam board cover. All of this taped together with scotch tape.

I dumped 3 buckets into the extractor, plugged in the lights, and put the cover on top. After 3 days, the honey reached 120F and all of the wax and foam were on top to be scraped off with metal screen filter. NOTE: before you start, make sure the Hinge side of the extractor gate is very tight. The static pressure of the honey is much higher than water and will cause a leak if not properly tight. I KNOW.

I tried two 100 watt bulbs but could not achieve the desired temp. It turns out that the 3/4 foam board is lossier than I expected. In the future I would probably select 2in board instead.

Just my solution to a problem -- Fuzzy

[Docking]

I have seen one that was made from the heating pad from a waterbed. It was wrapped around the tank and then insulated.

[Texas Bee]

That sounds like a great Idea, Fuzzy...

[BerkeyDavid]

Great idea. what kind / size extractor?

[magnet-man]

I use an empty 5 gallon pail, cake cooling rack and clip on light. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2112/2255974919_ac9eb6c32f.jpg
Toss the light in the pail and put the cooling rack on top and then the crystallized honey pail. Cover the whole thing with a blanked or put a zipped up coat on the top pail. In two to three days liquid honey.:)

I have used an old fashion heating pad. The type that doesn't turn off by itself.

[Fuzzy]

"what kind / size extractor?"

It is a 9 frame radial from Brushy Mt. It would hold a lot more that I put into it but I didn't know if the heat output would be enough. Based on what I saw, I don't think that I will try more than 15 gal at a time. It is quite difficult to maintain a 55 degree differential ( 120F to 65F room temp ). And light bulbs are cheap. Just make sure that they are securely mounted so that they cannot tip or fall and start a fire.

Fuzzy

[bentonbee]

I got a free small Amana chest freezer that didn't work anymore. I put the bottles of honey in it use a 75 watt light bulb for heat, close the lid and the light bulb heats it up nicely but not too hot.
Pastor Mike

[MapMan]

Just for safety's sake, for those using high-output bulbs, make sure you are using porcelain bulb sockets. You can get these at hardware and farm supply stores. I use them with heat lamp bulbs to warm the areas in the barn for newborn kids and puppies. Don't want to see any fires generated from the cheaper plastic sockets. ;)

MM

[mudlake]

I got some at Homedepot (porcelian) $2.50 a light. Tony

[MapMan]

I got some at Homedepot (porcelian) $2.50 a light. Tony

I bought some with reflector, porcelain socket and clamping/swivel/hanging bracket and bulb guard for around $7 on sale, usually around $10 each. Cheap insurance to be safe.

MM